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Navel oranges are characterized by the growth of a second fruit at the apex, which protrudes slightly and resembles a human navel. They are primarily used for eating, as the skin is thicker and easier to peel than a common orange. They are very popular and have a long growing season; in the United States, they are available from November through April, with peak supplies in January, February and March.

The tangelo is also widely known as the honeybell. Tangelo is a citrus fruit that is a hybrid of a tangerine and either a pomelo or a grapefruit. The fruits are the size of an adult fist and have a tangerine taste, but are very juicy, to the point of not providing much flesh but producing excellent and plentiful juice. Tangelos generally have loose skin and are easier to peel than oranges. They are easily distinguished from oranges by a characteristic bell shape.

Tangerines have been cultivated for over 3,000 years in China. Honey tangerines are the most widely grown tangerine, are easily peeled, much like a Satsuma mandarin, but have more flavor and grow true from the seeds.

There are over 100 different Satsuma, Citrus reticulata, varieties, appropriately labeled mandarins, many of which have a prefix “China” as these hybrids were originally received from Chinese cultivars. The best Satsuma mandarins have attributes that set them apart from lesser known varieties. Their red orange, leathery and oily peel is known as “zipper skin” as it clings so loosely to its flesh that it can be peeled with just a couple of tears. Left behind is a fragrant and juicy segmented flesh nearly devoid of seeds.

The avocado is colloquially known as the Alligator Pear, reflecting its shape and the leather-like appearance of its skin. Avocado is derived from the Aztec word “ahuacatl”. Avocados are the fruit from Persea americana, a tall evergreen tree that can grow up to 65 feet in height. Avocados vary in weight from 8 ounces to 3 pounds depending upon the variety.